Public Affairs & Government RelationsCase Study New York State Senator Greg Ball (R, 40th District-Westchester/Putnam)

That's me on the right :)

As Communications Director for New York State Senator Greg Ball (R, 40th
District), I organized and promoted the Senator’s Homeland Security hearing held on
Friday April 8, 2011, and lead in securing over 25 members of the press to attend the event, which resulted in massive local, national and
international media attention and exposure. Over 15 panelists testified on a range of homeland security topics from communication, police, preparedness and religion.

New York, NY (April 9, 2011) – Senator Greg Ball (R, 40th District –Westchester/Putnam/Dutchess), called on a panel of experts to testify at a public hearing on Friday titled, "To Consider Opportunities to Improve New York State’s Homeland Security Operations and How Far We Have Come Since September 11, 2001.” Unveiled at the hearing, were bombshell revelations about key New York landmarks and possible terrorist targets that lack proper security almost 10 years after 9/11. Senator Ball, Chairman of the Veterans, Homeland Security, and Military Affairs Committee was joined by U.S. Congressman Peter King (R-New York), and six New York State Senators, Senator Jack Martins (R-7th District), Senator Joseph Griffo (R-47thDistrict), Senator Lee Zeldin (R-3rd District), Senator Thomas O’Mara (R-53rd District), Senator Joseph Addabbo (D-15th District) and Senator Eric Adams (D-20th District). Over 15 speakers testified and over 25 members of the press attended the hearing.

Key homeland security representatives and experts spoke about a number of critical issues from transportation, police, communications, and religion. U.S. Congressman Peter King (R-New York) applauded Senator Ball’s efforts in bringing these issues into the public forum. “Senator Ball has performed a tremendous public service in holding today’s hearing. He is reminding New Yorkers of how real the al-Qaeda threat is, how much more work needs to be done and how we must remain extremely vigilant and never back down to political correctness,” said King.

The most revealing testimony came from Robert Morris, Vice President, Port Authority PBA, on communication problems. Robert Morris’ redacted testimony, given to Senator Ball and committee members, includes possible terrorist targets. Senator Ball believes the public and lawmakers need to understand what these vulnerabilities are in order to solve these problems.

Communication problems include emergency personnel between different departments not being able to speak with one another and the inability to communicate because of radio signal problems. “The officer carries a radio on his belt but he might as well be wearing a brick,” said Morris.

“This hearing was critically important to investigate a wide range of topics. We now have clear direction as a committee and some imperative deliverables to follow up on. The revelation of lack of security for the JFK AirTrain that runs right under the international terminal was a huge eye opener, but that’s just one scary example. Further testimony indicated that a single roadway with access under the Port Authority Bus Terminal, previously guarded, is now unmanned and unsecured. Now is not the time to point fingers, but it is certainly time to fix the damn problem,” said Senator Ball.

“We have front line, rank and file troops unable to communicate. Forget about interoperability, which was a dictate of the 9-11 Commission; we are talking about complete inoperability! This is nearly a decade after 9-11 and the same ‘bugs’ in our communications systems that cost lives still exist. Let us remember that these system errors cost many brave souls their lives on 9-11,” said Senator Ball. “We do not live in the middle of America; we live in New York, and the federal government has spent billions of dollars on Homeland Security in places at much lower security risk. If this issue is not resolved before the 10 year anniversary of 9-11, we should be ashamed. This is an aberration of power at the highest of levels.”

Another critical concern is how safe our nuclear energy plants are. Indian Point was built to withstand various combinations of natural disasters, and improvements since the 9/11 terrorist attacks have strengthened the nuclear plant's defenses, security officials told the Committee.

"Nuclear power stations are the most hardened facilities in the United States," Dan Gagnon, Indian Point Coordinator of Security said. "It's essentially an industrial setting inside a military installation during wartime activity."

Senator Ball will join Senator Maziarz and Senator Carlucci for a tour of Indian Point on Thursday April 14th. A public hearing will follow titled “Public Hearing: To examine contingency plans for the Indian Point Power Plant in case of a natural disaster, as well as to assess the overall impact of the facility on the reliability of the electrical grid and the local economy.”

Senator Ball and the committee members welcome discussion on both sides of the issues discussed at the hearing to understand how to improve Homeland Security. Senator Golden said, “This is about homeland security and the future of the city and this state to make sure that we’re safe.” Additionally, Senator Zeldin said, “I’m very grateful that this hearing took place and that Chairman Ball have all of you here.”

“Through these hearings, which are the first of a series, I hope we can look back and see real progress. We have made improvements, but we still have a soft underbelly that makes us vulnerable and in the current environment, no threat can be taken lightly,” Senator Ball said. “The passage of time seems to have lulled many of us into a sense of complacency, and the opiate of poor memory is no virtue when it comes to Homeland Security. The very fact that we have learned that command staffing is so slim that key targets like the George Washington Bridge, the Lincoln Tunnel and the Holland Tunnel lack basic protection, should shake to the core any New Yorker. This must be fixed immediately.” Senator Ball said.

The hearing is a first in a series to explore how far we’ve come and where we need to go to protect New York. The next hearing will be held in Albany on May 17, 2011.

The hearing can be viewed in its entirety on Senator’s Ball YouTube page HERE.

SENATOR BALL BRIDGES THE DIVIDE- TAKES ON PROTESTERS AND CALLS ON FRANK
GAFFNEY TO TESTIFY

9:30AM PRESS AVAILABILITY

New York, NY (April 2, 2011) – Senator Greg Ball (R, C,
40th District –Westchester/Putnam/Dutchess) has issued an important media
advisory about his hearing this Friday at 9:30 a.m. on Friday, April 8th in New
York City. Senator Ball has been inclusive and transparent during the planning
of this hearing. "Why protest outside, come inside and discuss the
important issues that matter to New Yorkers," Senator Ball said.

The Senate Committee on Homeland Security, Veterans
and Military Affairs will be holding a hearing in NYC on April 8th to discuss
with experts a range of issues regarding the condition of homeland security in
New York City, and throughout New York State.

As the ten year anniversary of 9/11
approaches, Senator Greg Ball, Chairman of the Homeland Security
Committee, is holding the hearing to assess the state of security in New
York, to determine what has been done, as well as what needs to be done to
improve infrastructure and fix any problems that are currently impeding New
York’s security.

“I commend Senator Ball for undertaking this
exceedingly important assessment of our homeland insecurity almost
10 years after 9/11 in the metropolitan area of New York State. Nothing
could be more important than understand the threats we face and the persistent
shortfalls against them,” said Frank Gaffney, Founder and President of The
American Center for Security Policy and radio host on Secure Freedom Radio.

Senator Ball has dedicated the front row to press,
therefore it is recommended that you arrive by 9 a.m. to ensure your spot and
not miss out on this unique opportunity. Cameras will be allowed throughout the
duration of the hearing and it is open to the public on a first come, first
served basis.

“We are nearing the 10 year anniversary of 9-11. Through
these hearings, which may be the first of a series, I hope we can look back and
see real progress. We have made improvements, but we still have a soft
underbelly that makes us vulnerable and in the current environment, no
threat can be taken lightly,” Senator Ball said. “Unfortunately the
possibility of a significant attack is real, and while we have made gains,
initial evidence is compelling that we really are not as safe or as secure as
we should be. These hearings are meant to assist in being frank about our
weaknesses and making sure that we expose and protect our soft underbelly,
before it be exposed by the enemy.”

Senator Ball has dedicated the front row to press,
therefore it is recommended that you arrive by 9:00 a.m. to ensure your spot
and not miss out on this unique opportunity. Cameras will be allowed throughout
the duration of the hearing and it is open to the public on a first come, first
served basis. In addition to the Senate Hearing Room, a smaller room
will be available for one on one interviews.

WHO:Congressman Peter King, Chairman, House
Committee on Homeland SecurityRaymond Kelly, Commissioner, New
York City Police DepartmentDouglas Ziegler, Head of Security for the
MTAFrank Gaffney, Founder and
President, The American Center for Security PolicyNonie Darwish, founder of Arabs for Israel,
Director of Former Muslims United, and author of several booksMichael Cutler, former Senior Special
Agent for the INS, advisor to the 9/11 Families for a Secure
AmericaCharles Faddis, Former CIA Operations
Officer / Head of WMD Terrorism Unit, Near East, South Asia and EuropeRepresentatives from Indian Point

WHAT:Topics Include:Daughter of Muslim Martyr to Testify on Shariah
Law, “Culture of Jihad”MTA Police
Benevolent Association to Testify
on Radio InoperabilityIndian Point Officials to Testify on
Security Advancements since 9-11Immigration
Experts to testify on Illegal Alien Identification ProgramsElectro Magnetic Pulse Devices, Weapons of
Mass Destruction

SENATOR BALL: “It’s time to put cheap political theater
behind and have a substantive and mature discussion about security
at Indian Point.”

Senator Greg Ball to tour Indian Point Power Plant
and Public Hearing to follow

Albany,
NY (April 5, 2011) – Senator Greg Ball (R, C, 40th District
–Westchester/Putnam/Dutchess) will tour the Indian Point Power
Facility on April 14th at 9:00am. Following the tour,
Senator Ball will share his findings at a public hearing held at
Stony Point Community Center.

“After
watching some press hungry politicians recently talk off the cuff about
shutting down Indian Point immediately and replacing the facility
with windmills and gas plants, I’m amazed at the lack of clarity on the issue
of nuclear power. This issue is too important to leave to press releases and
sound bites. While I have toured the Indian Point facility in the
past, I look forward to the tour on April 14th
at Indian Point to get a renewed first hand unvarnished view
of Indian Point’s security infrastructure and emergency preparedness
plans,” said Senator Ball.

Senator
Ball has called on Entergy to testify at his Homeland Security hearing to be
held on April 8th from
10:00am to 3:00pm at The Senate Hearing Room located at 250 Broadway, 19th Floor,
New York City. There will be a press conference at 9:30am.

Senator
Ball has confirmed that three Entergy executives are scheduled to testify
including: Fred Dacimo, Vice President for License Renewal, Dan Gagnon,
Coordinator of Security and Michael Slobedin, Director of Emergency
Programs.

During
Senator Ball’s Homeland Security Hearing on April 8th, he and other senators on the
Veterans, Homeland Security & Military Committee will hear from Entergy’s
executives as they provide testimony on Entergy’s Indian
Point Security Program and Emergency Preparedness Plan.

“I’m
pleased that Entergy has agreed to testify at our Homeland Security Hearing. Much
disinformation has been spread recently by politicians seeking news coverage,
rather than real answers. Indian Point is a huge employer and
large provider of cheap energy, and closing them tomorrow as some have
foolishly suggested would not begin to address the larger spent fuel issue, and
would be immediately devastating to the economy of the region and beyond.
Protecting our homeland from the threat of terrorism should rise above cheap
political theater, and the real facts surrounding security at Indian Point need
to be addressed maturely and rationally,” said Senator Ball.

As
Chairman of the Homeland Security Committee in the New York State Senate,
Senator Ball is committed to assessing the state of security in New York,
determining what has been done as the ten year anniversary of 9/11 approaches
and determining what needs to be done to improve infrastructure and to fix any
programs that are currently impeding New York’s security.

Brewster, NY (April 5, 2011) - Senator
Greg Ball (R, C, 40th District –Westchester/Putnam/Dutchess) has secured a
staggering $11.5 Million for New York State Veterans during a tough budget
battle in the Senate chamber, where all operating budgets were cut by 10%
across the board. In the budget, Ball successfully restored $10.9 Million to
Veterans’ Homes located in Montrose, New York City, Oxford, Stony Brook and
Batavia, all of which had been previously cut.
Senator Ball stated, “This was a budget of unmet needs, not wants. Yet the cuts
to our veterans, if enacted, would have been debilitating. Being fiscally
prudent doesn’t necessitate being heartless. As Chairman of Homeland Security,
Veterans and Military Affairs, I am proud to have fought in a pretty tough
financial arena, and come out with solid gains and restorations for our
veterans.”

Senator Ball also secured $500,000 for the establishment of a State Veterans’
Cemetery pursuant to a project approved by the United States Department of
Veterans’ Affairs.

“This program has been kicked around and languishing for years. Actually having
New York’s commitment in the state budget is a giant leap forward and the first
time this has ever been done. This money will allow New York State to take part
in a very generous federal program allowing states to build State Veterans
Cemeteries. While I am going to fight to bring a cemetery to the Hudson Valley,
this allows all counties the chance to now apply to build a State Veteran’s
Cemetery and properly honor their under served veteran population.” said
Senator Ball.

“People from Putnam have served in every American War from the Colonial Indian
Wars of the 17th Century until the present Middle East terror wars and deserve
a sacred place of their own to be buried. Senator Ball has secured the funding
to make sure New York State’s veterans will be honored as they should be,” said
veteran and Putnam County Legislator, Richard Othmer (R-Kent).

$125,000 was also secured to help the New York Veterans of Foreign Wars
eliminate the backlog of claims inhibiting disabled Veterans from getting their
benefits in a timely manner, an issue brought up as a top priority at Senator
Ball’s Veteran’s hearing held earlier this month.

“For far too long, veterans in New York have been mistreated with an avalanche
of administrative backlog! Because of Senator Ball’s efforts and fighting
on behalf of veterans, he has freed up the backlog of claims and has allowed
veterans across our state to receive the immediate support we need,” said Willy
Nazzario, Chief of Staff, Military Order of the Purple Heart.

Additionally, Senator Ball secured $25,000 for the Vietnam Veterans of America
New York State council to assist with their growing population and concerns.

“Today the Vietnam Veterans of America New York State Council learned
that, through the extraordinary efforts of Senator Greg Ball funds to help our
Veterans’ Service Officer program have been secured,” said Ned D. Foote,
President, Vietnam Veterans of America New York State Council. “We hail Senator
Ball for recognizing the importance of funding for veterans programs.”

“Senator Ball is a fighter, a comrade and a fellow veteran. As our new Chairman
of Veterans, Homeland Security and Military Affairs, Senator Ball has been a
strong veterans advocate seeking to find out what issues are facing our
veterans community, working with the community to find solutions, and
then fighting for those solutions in Albany. It’s a new day in New York
for veterans because of Senator Ball’s commitment,” said Daniel Morea, Deputy
Director Department of Veterans Services, City of Yonkers.

Radio transmission problems and other security issues will be
discussed at hearing on April 8th in
NYC

Albany, NY (March 30, 2011) – Senator Greg Ball (R, C, 40th
District –Westchester/Putnam/Dutchess) knows the need for commuication in
emergency situations is essential. As Chairman of the New York State Senate
Homeland Security, Veterans and Military Affairs Committee, Ball is concerned
about the preparedness of the state to handle any possible security threat. The
Senator will be holding a hearing in NYC on April 8th to discuss with experts a
range of issues regarding the condition of homeland security in New York. One
of the most pressing issues to be discussed is the outdated radio systems being
used by police.

A 2005 report issued by the Public Employee and Safety Health
Bureau informed the MTA that “without the implementation of any changes to
enhance the current system, employees, may be exposed to death or serious
physical harm from injuries which could occur through the occupational hazard
of not being able to operate and make contact with the current communication
system.” In 2008, the MTA was issued a formal citation for failing to provide
all of their employees a place of employment which is free from recognized
hazards that are likely to cause death or serious physical harm to its
employees.

In a letter to Senator Ball, Michael O’Meara of the MTA Police
Benevolent Association explained the gravity of the citation, “We believe this
is the first time in New York State and possibly the entire United States that
a police department has been issued a ‘notice of violation ’and‘ order to
comply for a failure of its radio system.”

Senator Ball is currently circulating O’Meara’s letter to all of
his colleagues in the Senate, along with an invitation for them to join him at
the hearing on April 8th to hear testimony on the issue. He is calling on his
colleagues to start looking at these security risks that seem to keep falling
through the cracks year after year.

“Nearly 10 years after 9-11 we are on the precipice of the
anniversary of a horrific attack. As New Yorkers, and as elected officials, we
have a responsibility to ensure that all levels of government are doing their
absolute best to secure New York City and the State of New York,” said Senator
Ball.

“Communication in emergency situations is essential to saving
lives. Radio systems and other means of communicating must be updated,” stated Senator Ball.

Daniel DeFedericis of the New York State Troopers Police
Benevolent Association explained the gravity of the situation, “Police members
are continually placing themselves in harm’s way with only the hope that
someone may hear them when the need for assistance arises.”

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority Police operate over
4,000 square miles including all of Long Island, Queens, Brooklyn, Bronx,
Upstate New York and portions of Connecticut. They are also responsible for
operations in the mass transportation hubs of Grand Central and Penn Stations
in Manhattan.

At the security hearing on April 8th Senator Ball will be hearing
from Congressman Peter King, Chairman of the U.S. House of Representatives
Committee on Homeland Security, Douglas Ziegler, Head of Security for the MTA,
as well as Ray Kelly, Commissioner of the New York City Police Department.

Brewster, NY (March 24, 2011) - Senator Greg Ball (R, C, 40th District-Westchester/Putnam/Dutchess)
Chairman of the Senate Homeland Security, Veterans and Military Affairs
Committee, issued a statement today on the security risks that are associated
with a new Senate bill, S4179, which Ball has deemed “a national security
nightmare that should formally be renamed the ‘Terrorist Empowerment Act’.”

The legislation, if enacted, would allow illegal aliens to be
issued New York State Identification Cards. The extreme and dangerous proposal
which has been introduced in the Senate, is New York’s response to the failed
“Dream Act” which was introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives, but
failed to pass in the Senate. The Bill would essentially require that DMV
employees become experts at verifying every national identity card or voter
card in the world (there are 194 countries, including Taiwan).

“This is an assault on our security as the world’s greatest
terrorist target,” said Senator Ball. “New York State was attacked nine years
ago and this extension of driver’s license privileges to 1 million illegal
aliens is a national security nightmare. This Bill is aiding and abetting
future terrorists by providing currently illegal identity documents in the form
of driver’s licenses to those who may wish to harm us. This is not about
immigration; this is about security. Terrorists look for weaknesses in our
system and holes in our security to exploit. This bill would provide that
loophole for those who wish to harm us.”

A recent report issued by the Congressional General Accounting
Office confirmed that it has become increasingly easy for illegal aliens to
obtain driver licenses using false documents. This has heightened national
security risks and further substantiates the compelling Federal Trade
Commission’s report which estimated 3.3 million people were victims of
full-blown identity theft.

Ball explained, “The 19 terrorists who attacked our nation on
September 11, 2001, used some 364 false aliases and in order to create those
false identities made use of multiple driver’s licenses in addition to other documents.
While the New York State driver’s license may well incorporate features to make
it far more difficult to alter or counterfeit, the greatest area of
vulnerability is to determine what name should be imprinted on that card in the
first place. Additionally, it is outrageous to provide such a critically
important form of identification to illegal aliens who have no right to be
physically present in our country in the first place and whose presence within
the borders of this great nation constitutes a violation of law. Doing so would
be nothing less than devastating to our national and state security.”

SENATOR BALL ANNOUNCES, “PEPSI STAYS…and EXPANDS!”Jobs
are staying and being created in the Hudson Valley(appeared on the NY State Senate website and Ball4NY website)Brewster, NY (March 24, 2011) - Senator Greg Ball (R, C, 40th District-Westchester/Putnam/Dutchess)
announced today that more than 1,200 high paying jobs with stay in the 40th
District. There has been discussion over the past year that Pepsi could leave
the area, even leave New York.

Today the Empire State Development, a state agency, announced an agreement that
will provide PepsiCo with a $4 million grant to invest in the Westchester
facility. PepsiCo will also invest up to $9 million in the project to retain
and create new jobs. The bottler will expand its 1,200-employee operations from
the 360,000-square-foot space it now leases in Somers to the entire
540,000-square-foot building.

“Educated, skilled, global talent surrounds us in this district,”
said Senator Ball. “Including people like Amy Patel Daschle, a veteran, and
daughter of Councilman Patel, a Democrat, of Yorktown. Upon graduating from
West Point in 2005, and having served in Iraq and Afghanistan, she began a job
at Pepsi in Somers as a brand development and commercialization manager.”

Senator Ball said, “Job growth and creation is essential in the
Hudson Valley. We must continue to fight against New York’s openly hostile
business environment and make it easier for companies like Pepsico to not only
stay, but expand right here in the Hudson Valley. The biggest thing government
can do to help businesses grow and expand is get out of the way!”

SENATOR BALL CO-SPONSORS THE CONCUSSION MANAGEMENT
AWARENESS ACT DURING BRAIN INJURY AWARENESS MONTH(appeared on the NY State Senate website and Ball4NY website)Albany, NY (March 23, 2011) - March is brain injury awareness month. Senator Greg Ball (R,
C—Westchester/Putnam/Dutchess) on Brain Injury Awareness Day, March 16th,
joined Senator Kemp Hannon, Chair of the Senate Health Committee, Senator
George Maziarz , co-sponsor, and members of the Sarah Jane Brain Foundation, a
group that advocates nationwide for victims of brain injuries, to push for
legislative action on the Concussion Management Awareness Act.

“We realize now what we may not have known a few decades back.
Concussions create long-term, detrimental health effects, and those hits taken
on the playing fields can have substantial and lasting impacts. It’s time to
get serious and protect our young athletes so they can enjoy long and healthy
lives,” said Senator Ball.

The bill (S.3953), co-sponsored by Senator Ball, would direct the
State Health and Education Departments to adopt rules and regulations for the
treatment and monitoring of students with mild traumatic brain injuries. It is
essential to educate the students, their parents or guardians, coaches and
school staff about the proper early recognition of the signs and symptoms of
concussions. “When a student suffers a head injury playing sports, it can
affect the rest of his or her life. Our effort helps develop a plan to make
sure that young athletes are treated and supervised properly to protect their
long-term health and well-being as much as possible,” said Senator Maziarz.

Senator Ball understands that too many New Yorkers are faced with
the dilemma of not being able to afford vital medical care.
According to the New York State Department of Health between 2006 and 2008 more
than 23,000 school aged children visited the emergency department for
concussions. The cost of their medical care is estimated at 80 million dollars.
The three year total cost of both hospitalization and emergency department
visits in the same period for all age groups in the state was over 1 billion
dollars.

“Coaches are educated on many pressing issues associated with
organized youth sports, specifically concussions,” said David Furfaro,
President of The Mahopac Sports Association. The MSA has a “When in doubt leave
them out” policy. “I applaud Senator Ball’s effort to stay out in front of this
very important issue keeping the children of our community safe.” Furfaro said.

“By instituting these regulations, school personnel will be able
to more easily identify concussions and thereby reduce the risk of long-term
complications in our young people,” Senator Hannon said.The proposed
legislation would require that each school district have a concussion
management team comprised of health and sports staff. The concussion management
team would be responsible for overseeing staff training, educating parents and
students about concussions and helping transition students who have sustained a
concussion back into school and sports with specified guidelines. “In the
future, this legislation will encourage parents, students and coaches to take
preventative steps to avoid such significant injuries,” Senator Hannon said.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC),
approximately 1.7 million people sustain a traumatic brain injury and children
under age 4, and almost half a million emergency department visits are made
every year for traumatic brain injuries by children under age 14.